Luiz Felipe Scolari seems intent on increasing competition for Chelsea's pivotal defensive midfield berth, officially introducing the former Brazilian international Mineiro yesterday just days after Mikel John Obi's erratic display in Rome contributed to Chelsea's most emphatic defeat of the season.

The 33-year-old, who was released by Hertha Berlin at the end of last season, was linked with both Arsenal and Portsmouth before being signed by Scolari. However, since his arrival six weeks ago the player capped 24 times by Brazil has made only one appearance, coming on as a substitute in the 5-0 drubbing of Sunderland.

Whether Mineiro will start at Blackburn tomorrow is unknown, as Scolari was giving nothing away yesterday and the player himself was unwilling to speculate.

"Other players are my allies, not my opponents. I'm not trying to fight against them for a place," Mineiro said. "We are a group, it's all about the team and doing the best for the team."

However, he added that the manager's policy is that anyone who is fit will be given an opportunity: "When we talk about a group we talk about a group playing together, everybody who is fit and playing well will have an opportunity to play. I want to be in the best form I can because that's what the manager expects of us, to be always ready when he needs us for the team."

Having impressed in the holding position in front of the back four in the early part of the season, Mikel cut a bedraggled figure against Roma and was culpable for two of the three goals Chelsea conceded. Scolari may feel the young Nigerian is in need of a rest - or some fit competition in the absence of the injured Michael Essien.